I met my Good Samaritan in 2016, when we were in 8th grade. Just like the Good Samaritan who didn’t pass by the wounded man, Marcela never turns away when she sees someone going through difficult times. 

I remember a day when I was feeling ill, couldn’t walk properly due to dizziness, and there was no one at home to accompany me to the clinic because my older sister and brother were working, and my mom couldn’t come with me because she was caring for my nephews. So I called Marcela, who lived six blocks away. Without a second’s hesitation, she offered to accompany me to the doctor. That day, she cared for me, supported me, and made sure I got home safely. That gesture, which may seem simple to many people, was an act of immense love to me.

Growing up wasn’t easy for Marcela or me, as our families struggled to help us get by on the meager income they had. From a young age, we saw many difficulties in our homes, and that’s why we valued education as a way to have a better quality of life and more opportunities.

In my case, life at school was very difficult. The girls didn’t want to be my friends, and I often felt alone and excluded during recess and classes. I couldn’t participate in conversations with the other students because my reality was so different from theirs. I couldn’t eat during recess because my mom could only give me a few coins, and that wasn’t enough to buy food because of the high prices. My uniforms weren’t new, and I often felt different because of that. 

Our program coordinator, Laura (right), and her Good Samaritan, Marcela (left).

That’s why, in the face of all that loneliness and hardship, Marcela’s friendship has been a true gift to me. Her friendship completely changed my perspective on friendship and trust. During our high school years, we enjoyed many moments together, sharing what we both had. She listened to me when I was sad and always reminded me to keep going when life was difficult and I felt like I couldn’t go on. Today, her friendship remains a fundamental support in my life. She has been there during very important moments in my life, encouraging me and reminding me of the importance of believing in myself and my abilities.

Marcela has taught me what true friendship means: being present, serving with joy, and loving unconditionally. Her calling to help is so genuine that she is studying to become a physical therapist, with the dream of healing and accompanying others. For me, her presence has been a way for God to show how much he loves me by sending people of light into my life.

I’m convinced we’ve all had the good fortune of meeting our Good Samaritans at some point in our lives—real people who stop to help us when others walk on by. They are people like Marcela, who heal with their presence, encourage with their words, pray for our well-being, and become a refuge in the midst of our storms, offering hope and well-being.

International Samaritan is a Christ-centered organization built on Catholic Social Teaching. Our mission is to walk hand-in-hand with people who live and work in the garbage dumps of developing nations to help them break out of poverty.

We provide holistic scholarships for students from kindergarten through college, and we’re currently supporting nearly 1,000 scholars in Central America, the Caribbean, and East Africa.

Would your church or school group like to partner and travel with us? Learn about our Learn, Serve, Grow program.

Empower our scholars to change their lives. Become a monthly supporter.

Laura Cuevas, Program Coordinator

Laura is a Systems Engineering student and has been working as a coordinator at International Samaritan since 2022, marking the beginning of her professional career. Her connection with the organization began in 2019 when she received a scholarship, which has strengthened her commitment to education as a tool to transform lives and break family cycles. Passionate about working with children and young people, Laura enjoys spending time with them, passing on her knowledge and contributing to their growth.